Weaving together various observations and musings -- usually pertaining to aspects of Hong Kong (life) but sometimes beyond.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Circular and Joy (This week's Photo Hunt theme)

A little less than a month ago, I wrote about my friend Joy for a tnchick-organized Photo Hunt entry in which I had also mentioned taking a mutual friend of ours and her family along a circular walk around Victoria Peak. But rather than repeat or elaborate on those subjects, I've elected to go another route for this Photo Hunt entry that once again combines themes for the week separately chosen by Sandi and Gattina -- and focus on things capable of giving me substantial joy that are often served up on circular dishes, with the bonus being that some of these things are themselves circular-shaped!

With regards to this blog entry's top-most photo: I'd like to call attention to not just the quantity of food in it but, also, the occasion at which that home-cooked feast was served up. For, as it so happens, that picture was taken at the home of a local friend who was good enough to invite me -- along with another friend who she subsequently got engaged to, then married, within 11 months of the photo being taken! -- to dine with her and her family one Chinese New Year evening.

Foodie that I am though, it's also true enough that I often can derive great joy from consuming particular foods, not just the social and communal aspects of meals -- and that's where the two other photos in this entry come in. More specifically, the photo of what look like Chinese versions of sandwiches is actually a photo of the decadent traditional Hong Kong delicacy known as gold coin chicken (that is so rich that it really is recommended that each diner only have just one of these circular concoctions at a seating!) while the photo of circular green goodness in small plastic packets are of a Malaysian delicacy known as onde-onde (or ondeh-ondeh or, as I actually pronounce it, oondeh-oondeh!) whose outer doughy green casings (garnished with bits of grated coconut) hide -- and balance, taste-wise -- wonderfully sweet gula melaka (palm sugar) centers.

And yes, now that I think about it, how wonderful it would be to have a meal consisting of one gold coin chicken followed by one packet -- or, hmm, maybe two -- of onde-onde... Alas, however, I don't think gold coin chicken is served in Penang and onde-onde can be found in Hong Kong -- or, to qualify, examples of these dishes that would be well made enough to truly bring me great dining joy! ;(

I must confess to being a bit shocked that those two friends decided so soon to get married. Most people I know are together for more than a year before they decide to get hitch -- but guess these two really got serious quick! :D

Hi Life Ramblings --

It was very nice. The dishes may look heavy but they went great with rice and fun company. :)

Just ate a late lunch and all of the sudden I see this mouth-watering post. Quite a feast and congrats to your friend and Happy Chinese New Year. The gold chicken was intriguing since I thought it was cake at first look. :D